Kamden Ratcliff left it all on the floor Thursday. (RayLynn Ratcliff photo)
It was a split decision.
Playing on the road in Everett Thursday, the Coupeville Middle School boys’ basketball teams nabbed a nailbiter win and a hard-fought loss while squaring off with Northshore Christian Academy.
It was the third straight trip off-Island for the road warriors, who now get to stick to Whidbey the rest of the way.
Coupeville has four of its final five games at home, beginning with a bout with Granite Falls this coming Tuesday, Nov. 25, along with one short trek to Langley to face South Whidbey.
How Thursday played out:
Team #1:
Coupeville came out on fire but hit a bit of an offensive lull in the middle of the game, eventually falling 55-40.
The Wolves put up a spirited battle, however, with Diesel Eck (13), Kamden Ratcliff (12), and River Simpson (9) combining to score 34 of their team’s points.
Ratcliff was an equal opportunity threat, pounding the boards and “handling the ball with grace and composure” as he “made action happen with his drives!”
Gracen Joiner rattled the rim for four points in support, while Trey Stewart and Colton Ashby rounded out the offense by netting a free throw apiece.
Xander Beaman and Darius Stewart also saw floor time for the Wolves.
Les Queen rolls to the hoop for a bucket. (Jackie Queen photo)
Team #2:
Balanced scoring was the key, as eight different Wolves made the net bounce during a 38-37 win.
Les Queen paced CMS, scoring in all four quarters as he racked up a game-high 15 points.
Abel O’Neil (7), Braxten Ratcliff (4), Henry Purdue (4), Xander Flowers (2), Hayden Maynes (2), Brady Sherman (2), and Nico Strong (2) also kept the scorebook keeper busy.
Rounding out the roster were Liam Stoner, Mario Martinez, Brayden Grinstead, and Dreyke Mendiola.
Team #3:
Northshore only goes two teams deep, so the Wolves sat this one out.
Coupeville Sports 